Dan
Admin
Illinois vs Eastern Illinois
Thursday, August 29th
8:00pm CT
BTN
Tickets | Gameday Guide | Parking Map
Thursday, August 29th
8:00pm CT
BTN
Tickets | Gameday Guide | Parking Map
Pregame: Illinois vs Eastern Illinois, Thursday, August 29th, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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I, like many of us I imagine, am an alumni of both schools. Launched me into my first year of season ticket ownership.
I’m so excited.
I’m so excited.
That FAU game last year...close game til the end, etc...not sure if I expected those next two games (NEB & PU) to be that bad, but that FAU game sure didn't give off confident vibes. If this game is like that game, I wouldn't be all that confident about the future.
But I think we win soundly.
ILL - 38
EIU - 10
But I think we win soundly.
ILL - 38
EIU - 10
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Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
Haven't really followed EIU football since the Kim Dameron days. Their 8-3 campaign last year was the best season in terms of win total in the post Spoo/Babers era, but their best wins came against three 6-5 teams and 5 really bad teams. That being said, not going to disparage the job Chris Wilkerson has done what is one of the harder FCS jobs in the country in right now, and they return an experienced QB in Pierce Holley. but Illini should cruise easily.
I follow EIU more closely than most on here. EIU will be good this year but Illini shouldn't have any issue with them. This is the 1st of 2 games the Panthers will have against B1G teams this season with the other coming in Evanston on September 14th.
EIU was picked to finish 2nd in the BIg South/OVC Preseason coaches poll behind one of last year's conference co-champions, UT Martin. EIU QB Pierce Holley was named the conference's preseason offensive player of the year.
I'll post more info about some other players to watch closer to the game but there is plenty of talent on the Panthers roster.
EIU was picked to finish 2nd in the BIg South/OVC Preseason coaches poll behind one of last year's conference co-champions, UT Martin. EIU QB Pierce Holley was named the conference's preseason offensive player of the year.
I'll post more info about some other players to watch closer to the game but there is plenty of talent on the Panthers roster.
I don't think it will be as close at the end as some are fearing. I go with Illinois 41-17.
If we give up 17 to EIU, we will be over run by alot of other teams.
IMHO, we will play a lot of players, especially on defense, to see what they've got, so giving up 17 is likely. I sure hope we score 41, or better.
Possible...but gimme the under...
I really hope that Aaron Henry has ditched the three-man rush on third down.
I am firmly of the opinion that this is one of three keys that determine whether Illinois has a great season or not.
1. Does Aaron Henry, with an offseason to learn from his mistakes from his first year on the job, take the jump and solidify the defense? I’m banking on him doing that. If he doesn’t, does Bret have the guts and wisdom to pull the trigger and move on before the season is lost?
2. Can we stay healthy? There’s promise on the first string but if we have starters missing time there’s not sufficient depth to make up for it. Who gets hurt, and can we withstand it?
3. Does Altmyer take the jump or not? If he does, great. If not, woof.
Any three of these faltering and we’re gonna have trouble.
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Reminder of our last five home openers and the attendance we drew for each. I excluded 2020 for obvious reasons and 2021 since it was (A) against a Big Ten opponent rather than a typical mid-major and (B) Nebraska brought a significant number of fans that the other opponents did not.
2023: 48,898 vs. Toledo (29% increase)
2022: 37,832 vs. Wyoming (23% increase)
*** Bielema hired/Lovie fired before 2021 season ***
2019: 30,654 vs. Akron (4% decrease)
2018: 31,898 vs. Kent State (25% decrease)
2017: 42,505 vs. Ball State
So, overall, our 2023 attendance was up 15% from 2017 and up 60% from the record low we pulled against Akron a few years ago. It would be really nice to reestablish our crowds as over 50k for every game no matter what. Even in an age of NIL, recruits still want to play in a fun atmosphere with a packed crowd, and the networks want to broadcast from such "interesting venues," as well.
2023: 48,898 vs. Toledo (29% increase)
2022: 37,832 vs. Wyoming (23% increase)
*** Bielema hired/Lovie fired before 2021 season ***
2019: 30,654 vs. Akron (4% decrease)
2018: 31,898 vs. Kent State (25% decrease)
2017: 42,505 vs. Ball State
So, overall, our 2023 attendance was up 15% from 2017 and up 60% from the record low we pulled against Akron a few years ago. It would be really nice to reestablish our crowds as over 50k for every game no matter what. Even in an age of NIL, recruits still want to play in a fun atmosphere with a packed crowd, and the networks want to broadcast from such "interesting venues," as well.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
We already lost our starting tight end Rusk, OT Francis and LB Muragin
Illini TE Cole Rusk Will Miss The Season Due To A Knee Injury
Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Cole Rusk took to social media to announce he will be out for the season after sustaining a knee injury. He posted: 'Dear Il
www.si.com
500-2 the good guys.
I remember years ago when EIU played up there, the Panthers had a really good safety named Clint Sellers. He ended up suffering a stinger in that game that pretty much ended his season.
Not necessarily. Most teams improve from one game to game two.
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
And ruined any chance he had of playing football professionally. Sucks because I remember people talking about just how good he had been the prior season.
Sellers travels road to recovery
Seven months after a horrible injury crippled his arm, Clint Sellers is coming to grips with his new life.
www.dailyeasternnews.com
I am pumped for the season to kick-off.
FCS teams typically stick around until about halftime when the depth and player quality brings it home. I see something like:
14-10 Illinois at Half
35-13 Illinois game
We know it is going well when a lot of player rotation occurs and/or when Leary is under center.
FCS teams typically stick around until about halftime when the depth and player quality brings it home. I see something like:
14-10 Illinois at Half
35-13 Illinois game
We know it is going well when a lot of player rotation occurs and/or when Leary is under center.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
just terrible . any one know how he is doing today ?And ruined any chance he had of playing football professionally. Sucks because I remember people talking about just how good he had been the prior season.
Sellers travels road to recovery
Seven months after a horrible injury crippled his arm, Clint Sellers is coming to grips with his new life.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
agree
by the end of the 2nd quarter when the FCS teams' first stringers get gassed is when things begin to separate.
I can vouch for this. He was part of a really stout defense the year prior that went 9-3 overall and 8-0 in conference. They still ended up going 8-5 the season he got hurt but the defense just wasn't quite as good without him.And ruined any chance he had of playing football professionally. Sucks because I remember people talking about just how good he had been the prior season.
Sellers travels road to recovery
Seven months after a horrible injury crippled his arm, Clint Sellers is coming to grips with his new life.
Looks like he's living and working in North Carolina now: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-sellers-9aa6a178
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